Josh Hamilton: Latest Details Surrounding MLB Star's Reported Relapse

Josh Hamilton will not face suspension or discipline from the Office of the MLB Commissioner following a relapse, per MLB Communications.

Continue for updates.

---

MLB Issues Statement Regarding Hamilton Decision

Friday, April 3

MLB Communications provided a statement regarding Hamilton's punishment:

---

Manfred Will Make Decision on Hamilton Suspension

Monday, March 16

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred will be the one to decide on Hamilton's potential suspension, according to MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez. Manfred made the following comments:

"

I am a decision maker on that one, and I just don't think it's appropriate [to comment]. All I can say to you about the timing is that because Josh isn't in position to be on the field, it has made the timing a little more relaxed than if we had the circumstance of somebody on the field. Beyond that, I just can't say any more.

"

---

Details Surface of Hamilton's "Latest Spiral"

Tuesday, March 10

Per Yahoo Sports' Jeff Passan:

"

Multiple sources with knowledge of the situation told Yahoo Sports that Hamilton has told people his latest spiral began around Super Bowl weekend after a fight with his wife. Because he cannot carry cash or credit cards, Hamilton wrote himself a check to cash. He wound up at a strip club and used cocaine. Before his next test, Hamilton admitted to using drugs, which prompted the meeting with MLB in New York that the Los Angeles Times first reported, sending Hamilton's case into the public view.

"

Hamilton has admitted in the past that he can't be trusted with money. As reported by The Dallas Morning News in 2010, "The availability of money is an issue for most addicts. Hamilton burned through most of a $4 million signing bonus in four years, and he once spent $100,000 in six weeks on drugs."

---

MLBPA Issues Statement Regarding Josh Hamilton Leaks

Thursday, March 5

MLB.com's William Boor provided the MLBPA's statement regarding leaks about Hamilton:

---

Panel Reportedly Divided on Rehab Treatment for Hamilton 

Wednesday, March 4

A four-person panel is reportedly split on whether Hamilton should be sent to a rehabilitation program for substance abuse, according to Mike DiGiovanna and Bill Shaikin of the Los Angeles Times. The report goes into further detail about what the next step will be:

"

The group is comprised of two attorneys and two physicians — one of each appointed by the commissioner's office and the players' union. The panel first determines whether a player has violated MLB's drug policy, then decides a course of treatment.

Because there is not an agreement on treatment, an arbitrator is expected to join the committee and break the tie, according to a person familiar with the process, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the situation is not supposed to be discussed publicly.

"

The report also states that MLB is trying to decide whether Hamilton classifies as a fourth-time offender under the drug policy. If he does, those "violators face a range of penalties, starting at 15 to 25 games for a first offense, 25 to 50 games for a second offense, 50 to 75 games for a third offense and at least one full season for a fourth offense. Commissioner Rob Manfred would have the final say on the length of a suspension."

---

Hamilton Relapse Reportedly Occurred in 2015

Saturday, Feb. 28

Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com reported that Hamilton's relapse occurred this year: 

"

Josh Hamilton's recent meeting with Major League Baseball stemmed from a relapse that occurred this year, sources with knowledge of the situation confirmed to MLB.com on Friday. The Angels, who have only confirmed that Hamilton met with league officials at the Commissioner's Office in New York on Wednesday, don't expect to hear from MLB anytime soon.

"

Gonzalez also added that Hamilton "would begin serving a suspension at the beginning of the regular season, regardless of whether he would've started the year on the disabled list, according to people familiar with the process."

---

Hamilton Reportedly Suffered Cocaine, Alcohol Relapse

Thursday, Feb. 26

Bill Madden and Michael O'Keefe of the New York Daily News reported that Hamilton suffered a relapse regarding both cocaine and alcohol use.

America's Pregame on Fox Sports 1 provided comments from Jon Morosi, who reported the announcement regarding a possible suspension for Hamilton won't be made Thursday.

---

Trout, Scioscia, Dipoto Speak on Hamilton

Thursday, Feb. 26

Mike Trout spoke to Gary Klein of the Los Angeles Times about the news surrounding Hamilton:

Manager Mike Scioscia talked about Hamilton as well, according to Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com:

Jerry Dipoto told reporters, "I'm not going to comment on Josh. He's in Houston rehabbing from surgery, and we'll leave it at that," according to Gonzalez. Dipoto also told Gonzalez that the team isn't currently looking for help in the outfield.

---

Hamilton Meets with MLB Regarding Discipline Issue

Wednesday, Feb. 25

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Josh Hamilton could be facing disciplinary action from Major League Baseball for an undisclosed reason.      

According to Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times, Hamilton will meet with MLB officials Wednesday "about a disciplinary issue, and the [Angels are] bracing for possible penalties."

Alden Gonzalez of MLB.com reported on Twitter that the Angels have confirmed the news of Hamilton's meeting with league officials:

Fox Sports' Ken Rosenthal provided information on the disciplinary matter:

Hamilton's meeting with MLB reportedly may be related to a relapse, according to CBS Sports' Jon Heyman:

Heyman added that Hamilton informed MLB about the relapse and would be put into a program as a first-time offender. 

Steven Marcus of Newsday had more details from Hamilton's father-in-law:

DiGiovanna noted that Hamilton's agent did not respond to messages, while Pat Courtney, an MLB spokesman, declined to comment.

In the Los Angeles Times' report, Angels general manager Jerry Dipoto confirmed Hamilton is meeting with MLB officials in New York, but he had "no other information to offer." It also noted that if Hamilton does get suspended, "he could be out until late June or July."

Bob Levey/Getty Images

Hamilton is already slated to start this season on the disabled list after having surgery on the AC joint in his right shoulder earlier this month. 

While injuries have played a role in Hamilton's recent on-field struggles, including last year when he was limited to 89 games, he's also had issues off the field during his career. The 33-year-old was on MLB's restricted list from 2003 to 2005 due to problems with drugs and alcohol.